Custom Wedding Rings: Make Your Own With These Options

There are several options available for couples who want to make their own wedding rings. This includes workshops such as With These Rings in Port Townsend, Washington, The Smithery in Columbus, Ohio, and Fitzgerald Jewelry in New York. These workshops offer a unique and memorable experience for couples to create their own wedding bands with the guidance of experienced instructors and jewelry artists. The cost of these workshops typically includes a booking fee, the price of materials, and sometimes additional perks like lunch, photos, and a bottle of bubbly. Alternatively, couples can also design their own rings online or in-store with the help of jewelry experts at companies like Kay and Zales.

Jewellery workshops in Columbus, Ohio, and Port Townsend, Washington, offer couples the chance to make their own wedding rings

In Columbus, Ohio, couples can visit Worthington Jewelers, a family-owned business that has offered unique jewellery creations since 2000. The store provides education on metals, diamonds, and gemstones to help customers make informed decisions about their jewellery.

Carioti Jewelers, Argo & Lehne Jewelers, and Jack Seibert Goldsmith & Jewelry are also popular choices in Columbus. These stores offer a range of wedding jewellery styles, including custom options, and are known for their knowledgeable staff and high-quality pieces.

For those seeking a more hands-on experience, With These Rings in Port Townsend, Washington, is a jewellery studio that provides a unique opportunity for couples to fabricate their wedding bands through private instruction. Washington jeweller, Stephanie Selle, guides couples in creating heirloom-quality rings during a one-day workshop, ensuring a meaningful and memorable experience.

Basic rings can typically be crafted in 3-5 hours, and the average price range for a set of 14k gold rings at With These Rings is $1,100 to $2,000. The studio uses 100% recycled metals sourced from an eco-conscious USA-based refinery, contributing to the special nature of the rings.

In a private class, an instructor will teach you the traditional technique of wax carving

Wax carving is a traditional jewellery-making technique that can be used to create your wedding rings. In a private class, an instructor will teach you this method, allowing you to craft unique rings with your own hands.

During the class, you will work side by side with an experienced instructor who will guide you through the entire process. The first step is to create a wax model of your ring design. This will then be sent to a casting house to be cast in the precious metal of your choice. The process typically takes around 1-2 weeks.

After your rings have been cast, you will return for a second class to finish and polish your rings. Using various jewellery hand tools and polishing techniques, you will add the final touches to your rings, creating a memorable experience and a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery.

The cost of the workshop includes the instructor's fee, but the physical cost of materials is separate. The final price of materials will depend on the ring size, width, and type of metal chosen.

Wax carving is a great way to create dynamic and detailed ring designs. It allows you to shape a ring that fits perfectly with your engagement ring or create a unique texture or organic form. This technique usually requires two sessions, with the first class taking about four hours and the second class taking around two hours.

By making your own wedding rings, you can imbue them with your love and memories, creating a truly special piece of jewellery that symbolizes your commitment to each other.

You can set your own stones, or have them set for you

If you want to make your own wedding rings, there are several options available to you. You can attend a private workshop, such as those offered by With These Rings in Port Townsend, Washington, or Fitzgerald Jewelry, where you can craft your rings by hand with the help of an experienced instructor. These workshops typically involve creating a wax model of your ring design, which is then cast in metal and polished. The cost of these workshops usually includes the instruction and metal casting, while the cost of materials (such as the chosen metal and any additional elements) is additional.

When it comes to setting stones in your wedding rings, you have the option to do it yourself or have a professional jeweller do it for you. Stone setting is a skilled technique that requires learning specific methods and using specialised tools. While it can be a rewarding experience, it may be challenging for beginners. If you choose to set your own stones, you can find tutorials and advice online, as well as purchase the necessary tools and equipment. However, if you prefer to have a professional do it, you can provide your own stones to a jeweller, who will set them for you. This service usually incurs an additional fee, which depends on factors such as the number, size, and type of stones, as well as the complexity of the setting technique required.

Some jewellery studios, like Fitzgerald Jewelry, offer stone-setting services but do not teach it in their workshops. Krikawa, a custom jewellery company, allows customers to provide their own centre stones for their rings. They insure the stones while they are in their possession and assess them for quality, ring fitting, and insurance purposes. Krikawa also charges a setting fee that is determined by the stone's value, carat weight, hardness, and shape. They can create custom settings for unique stones but recommend using their master jewellers for intricate designs.

Whether you choose to set your own stones or have a professional do it, it's important to consider the additional time, cost, and skill required for this process. You can also explore options for purchasing pre-set stones or choosing stone-less designs if you prefer a simpler approach. Ultimately, the decision to set your own stones or have them set for you depends on your personal preference, budget, and the level of customisation you desire for your wedding rings.

The cost of the workshop includes a ring box, lunch, flowers, and a bottle of bubbly

Making your own wedding rings is a unique and memorable experience offered by several jewelry studios. The Smithery in Columbus, Ohio, for example, offers a wedding band workshop where couples can work one-on-one with a professional artist to create their rings. The cost of the workshop includes a ring box, lunch, flowers, and a bottle of bubbly, in addition to exclusive use of the studio and digital photos documenting the day.

The cost of the workshop booking fee at The Smithery is $725, and the ring fee varies depending on the metal choice, finger size, width and thickness of the band, shape of the ring stock, and current gold market prices. On average, the ring fee for a pair of rings ranges from $1500 to $2400, but it can be more or less depending on the options chosen. The total cost of the workshop, including the booking fee and ring fee, is typically around $2225 to $3125.

Other jewelry studios, such as Fitzgerald Jewelry and With These Rings, also offer similar experiences. Fitzgerald Jewelry's wedding bands workshop is a private, two-session class where couples work with an experienced instructor to create their rings using the traditional jewelry technique of wax carving. The cost of the workshop is for the course and instruction, while students are responsible for the cost of materials at wholesale price. With These Rings, located in Port Townsend, Washington, offers a one-day workshop where couples can make their wedding or anniversary bands with the guidance of a professional jeweler. The cost of the rings depends on the workshop fee, metal cost, and any additional elements.

In addition to these studios, some online jewelry retailers, such as Kay and Zales, offer custom design services where couples can work with a jewelry expert in-store or online to create their dream rings. These services allow couples to customize various components such as the stone type, setting style, and engraving. However, it is unclear if the cost of these services includes the same extras as The Smithery's workshop, such as lunch, flowers, and bubbly.

You can also design your own rings online and have them made for you

If you're looking for a unique and personalised wedding ring, you can design your own rings online and have them crafted for you. This option allows you to create a ring that is truly one-of-a-kind and infused with your love story.

There are several online jewellers that offer custom ring design services. For example, Brilliant Earth, Kay, and Blue Nile all provide the opportunity to design your own engagement ring by choosing the setting, diamond or gemstone, band, and other custom details. You can select from a variety of diamond shapes, including round, emerald, oval, and pear, and pair it with a setting that ranges from simple solitaires to intricate halos.

After you've finalised your design, these jewellers will bring your vision to life by crafting your ring with expert precision. The production time will depend on the complexity of the design and the availability of materials, but you can expect to receive your unique ring within a few weeks.

In addition to engagement rings, you can also design wedding bands that complement your engagement ring or opt for custom details like engraving to make your rings even more special.

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